Rescue tool

ABSTRACT

A rescue tool includes a fully pivotally opened handle in an obtuse angle disposition with one handle separately gripped and then a force transmitted through force bearing surfaces to the oppositely disposed handle having an outwardly disposed sinusoidal surface and juxtaposed hook end which engage a seized fire hose coupling. A high torque force is readily exerted through the handles on the seized fire hose coupling. The elongate handles and pivotally disposed jaws having elongate arcuate cutting edges corporately provide rapid cutting of aluminum sheath hybrid car battery cables in a further rescue operation.

PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 12/419,592, filed Apr. 7,2009, which is continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/857,010,filed Sep. 18, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 11/493,682, filed Jul. 26, 2006, and claims priority thereto andincorporates the priority applications herein in their entireties byreference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to hand tools. This invention specificallyrelates to hand tools having improved or multiple functionalities. Thisinvention specifically relates to a firefighter tool having multiplefunctionalities. This invention more specifically relates to a rescuetool used by firefighters in exigent circumstances.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Firefighter tools having multiple functions are disclosed in U.S.D210,141, granted Feb. 13, 1968 to Woods; U.S. D226,162, granted Jan.30, 1973 to Zlayele, Jr., U.S. D233,405, granted Oct. 29, 1974 to Frey;U.S. D244,252, granted May 10, 1997 to Ardis; U.S. D281,216, grantedNov. 5, 1985 to Cutliff, Jr, et al.; U.S. D329,972, granted Oct. 6, 1992to Calvagno; U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,647, granted Nov. 17, 1925 to Johnson;U.S. Pat. No. 2,360,163, granted Oct. 10, 1944 to Sadler; U.S. Pat. No.3,599,255 granted Oct. 21, 1968 to Carroll, Sr.; U.S. Pat. No.3,949,439, granted Apr. 13, 1976 to Ardis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,623,granted Sep. 8, 1981 to Tarran; U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,123, granted Jul. 1,1986 to Cobe, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,378, granted Mar. 3, 1987 toBorden; U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,493, granted Apr. 21, 1992 to Lugtenaar;U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,853, granted Jul. 4, 1995 to Menke; U.S. Pat. No.6,308,355, granted Oct. 30, 2001 to McMillan et al.; U.S. Pat. No.6,397,420, granted Jun. 4, 2002 to Roxton; U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,001,granted May 31, 2005 to Sanders et al.; and US Publication 2004/0261188,published Dec. 30, 2004 to Mathis.

The art directed to wrenches generally discloses a unitary member havinga hook for engaging one specifically sized coupling as disclosed in U.S.D138,515 to Hardy, U.S. D337,492 to Ryan et al. and U.S. Pat. No.6,705,182 to Bennett.

The art directed to firefighter tools generally discloses a movable ordisplaceable hook or other movable element to engage diversely sizedcouplings as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,754 to Brown, U.S. Pat.No. 1,936,359 to Huthsing et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,853 to Menke etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,715 to Nishiguchi.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART), there is shown themulti-purpose rescue tool disclosed in US Publication No. 2006/015674,published Jul. 20, 2006 to Gillingham (“the Gillingham tool”). TheGillingham tool 1 includes handle 7 and handle 8 having a planar contactsurface 2 for engaging small sized fire hose couplings (not shown),wherein there is line contact between the coupling cylindrical surfaceand the handle planar contact surface 2. The Gillingham hook end 3 iscurved with a terminal sharp edge 9. Planar contact surface 2 inconjunction with hook end 3 has a limited range of utility. TheGillingham tool is only operable with the handles in the closedposition. Handles 7 and 8 open to only a limited degree for cablecutting functionality only. Arm 4 with cutter 5 are disposed on theinside 6 of handle 7 and prevents a user from gripping handle 7. Theflared wedge has ends 7 a and 7 b further prevent a user from gripinghandle 7. The Gillingham handles 7 and 8 subtend an angle of no morethan about 37° in the fully open position (not shown). This limited openposition is for the purpose of the jaws cutting a cable. Hook end 3 hasno operability in the handles open position.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2 (PRIOR ART), there is shown pliers 100with jaws 111 and 112 for cutting a cable (not shown). Jaws 111 and 112have elongate generally arcuate cutting edges 115 disposed in differentplanes. In the fully closed position (as shown) stops 113 and 114 limitthe closure of jaws 111 and 112. Pliers 100 are useful for only cuttingcables with relatively soft metal components. Cutting edges 115 wouldreadily chip in an attempt to cut metal sheath cables.

The art directed to firefighter tools requires quick positive forceapplications in cutting heavy-duty or metal sheath cables such aspresent in hybrid automobiles, jimmying seized windows, and openingseized fire hose couplings of diverse sizes and lug configurations. Thepresent invention provides solutions to each and all the foregoing priorart needs in a readily operated tool and yet of practical design,manufacture and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present firefighter tool provides complementary elongate handleswherein the handles may, in one operable mode, be separately gripped forcutting heavy duty metal component cables, and in a second mode, thewedge bearing handle is comfortably gripped and the handles fully openedto an extraordinary degree with the opposed handle specificallycontoured with a sinusoidal outer surface to operably engage diverselysized and lug configured fire hose couplings. In the handles fully openmode, a high torque force is generated to rapidly uncouple the seizedfire hose coupling. The handles open to approximately 114° in the fullyopened or second mode position. The elongate contoured handles andelongate arcuate jaws cutting edges provide improved cutting of heavyduty electrical cable such as an aluminum shielded hybrid car batterycable. The wedge edge is disposed at between 85° and 89°, and preferably88°, of the tool center plane in the fully closed position. The wedge iscontoured to be effectively and comfortably separately gripped in thefully opened or second mode position to engagingly the fire hosecoupling is engaged by the sinusoidal outer surface and hook of theopposed handle. The elongate handles have specific member handle lengthratios and specific respective force bearing surfaces which permit hightorque forces to be rapidly exerted on the seized fire hose coupling.

The tool provides for engaging a seized fire hose coupling in thehandles fully closed and fully opened positions. The fully closedposition is useful in confined space operations such as on a fire truck.The fully opened position is useful in an unconfined space weatheredseized coupling operation.

In one embodiment, the tool functions as a cable cutter for rapidlycutting metal sheath cables such as aluminum sheath hybrid car batterycables. The cable cutter has opposed elongate arcuate first and secondcutting edges disposed in different planes.

The handles have a specific elongate length ratio to complementarilyeffect the several afore-discussed rescue operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a proximate end perspective view of a PRIOR ART multi-purposerescue tool (“the Gillingham Tool”);

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a PRIOR ART cable cutter;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the rescue or firefighter tool ofthe present invention in a fully closed position and engaging a firehose coupling;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the firefighter tool in apartially open position;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the firefighter tool of the presentinvention in the fully closed position;

FIG. 6 is a edge wedge side view of the handle of the firefighter toolin the fully closed position;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the firefighter tool in the fullyopen position;

FIG. 8 is a front fragmentary view of the wedge end of the firefightertool;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view as in FIG. 7 showing a firefightergripping the wedge end of one handle with the fully opened end opposedhandle engaged with a seized fire hose coupling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 2-18, there is shown rescue or firefighter tool 10.Tool 10 includes members 11 and 12 pivotally connected by pivot member20 having pivot axis 20A. Member 11 has a proximate end 13 and a distalend 14. Distal end 14 includes jaw 15. Proximate end 13 includesproximately disposed pin 16 and distally extending hook 17, with hookend 31 for purposes hereinafter appearing. Member 12 has a proximate end21 and a distal end 22. Distal end 22 includes jaw 23. Member 12includes handle portion 24. Member 11 includes handle portion 25. Jaws15 and 23 pivotably open and close with the movement of the handleportions 24 and 25, by pivot member 20 and pivot axis 20A.

Handle 25 is formed with a front surface 26, a rear surface 27, an innersurface 28 and an outer surface 30. Outer surface 30 is specificallyconfigured in a generally sinusoidal curvature 35. Surface curvature 35includes a proximately disposed concave portion 36, a distally disposedconvex portion 37, and an intermediate or transitional portion 38, forpurposes hereinafter appearing. The respective radii of curvatures 36and 37 are about equal. Handle 24 includes a wedge 39 formed atproximate end 21. A through hole wrench 40 is disposed between handleportion 24 and wedge 39. Through hole wrench 40 is in about paralleldisposition with pivot axis 20A of pivot member 20.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5, there is shown tool 10 in the fullyclosed position. Jaws 15 and 23 are slidably contactingly engaged. Auser (not shown) grips closed jaws 15 and 23 and use wedge 21 or wrench40 of member 12. The user (not shown) can otherwise grip closed jaws 15and 23 and use the so specifically configured surface 35 in cooperationwith hook end 31 for uncoupling a fire hose coupling or cap, as morefully discussed hereinafter.

The Wedge Grip and Function

Wedge 39 is contoured to provide a grip 50 disposed between transversedownwardly disposed fulcrum 51 (FIG. 6) and wedge edge 52. Grip 50includes upper surface 53, lower surface 54 and sides or side surfaces55 and 56. Upper surface 53 and lower surface 54 extends proximately andupwardly to the wedge edge 52. Wedge sides 55 and 56 extend or bulgeoutwardly at 57 and 58, between fulcrum 51 and wedge edge 52. In theaforesaid manner of construction, the contoured wedge 39 surfacesprovide a grip 50 for member 12 in the fully open position (FIGS. 7 and19).

The present construction is designed to permit members 11 and 12 to opento an angle B of at least about a 100° angle, and preferably 114°, whenoperated in the fully opened mode (FIGS. 7 and 19). Preferably, thehandles are fully opened to an angle of at least about 114°. This largeangular disposition in combination with the force transfer bearingsurfaces 47 and 48 cause a substantial torque to be transferred frommember 12 to member 11 and in turn exerted on the seized coupling. Ithas been found that when a 250 lb. force is exerted on handle portion 24of member 12 in both the upward and sideward directions (arrow D of FIG.19) a resultant 354 lb. force is generated at 45° and transfer to member11 for resultant angular movement (arrow E of FIG. 19). A Von Mises(WCS) stress analysis reveals that the area of highest stress is not inthe pivot member 20 area but counterintuitively at portion 59 of member12. Pivot member 20 and force bearing surfaces 47 and 48 were found tobe surprisingly under low stress in the operable disposition of FIG. 19.This design and construction permits an effective high torque force tobe generated and transmitted without damage or deformation in and to thepivot member.

The Wedge Edge

Wedge edge 52 is disposed at a slightly acute angle A with respect totool center plane or centerline C (FIG. 5). Angle A is about 85° and89°, and preferably about 88°. The user grips the jaws in the fullyclosed position and applies a force transversely to the center plane Cto exert a leverage force at the wedge edge. In the aforesaid manner ofconstruction, wedge edge 52 readily operably engages a seized windowlower edge under exigent circumstances. The wedge edge is preferablyoperable in the fully closed position, as well as in the fully openposition.

The Wedge Grip

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7-19, there is shown the wedge grip 50.Wedge grip 50 has a front or upper surface 53, a rear or lower surface54, an outside surface 55 and an inside surface 56. A wedge fulcrum 51is formed on rear surface 54. Wrench opening 40 is transversely disposedin grip 50. Surfaces 55 and 56 are spacedly disposed at 57 and 58.Surfaces 55 and 56 have convex contours at 85 and 86 respectively (FIGS.14-16). In this manner of construction, a grip 50 is provided betweenfulcrum 51 and wedge edge 52 (FIGS. 14-16). The user fully opens thehandles (FIGS. 7 and 19) and grips member 12 at grip 50 and engages acoupling between sinusoidal transfer surface 35 and hook end 31. Theuser then exerts a force on member 11 through force bearing or transfersurfaces 47 and 48 to surface 35 and hook end 31 and in turn to thecoupling lug and cylindrical outer surface. A seized fire hose couplingis readily unseized in the manner of construction and operation asparticularly shown in FIG. 19.

The tool of claim 16, the wedge upper and lower surfaces being in aboutparallel disposition adjacent the fulcrum surface and said wedge lowersurface curves towards the upper surface in the proximate direction,wherein the said wedge upper, lower and side surfaces permit the rescuetool to be readily inserted into and removed from a pocket or holster inthe fully closed position.

The Handles Length Ratio

It has been found that by providing members 11 and 12 having respectivehandles 24 and 25, with a specific length ratio, the seized couplingengagement functions are improved. Handle 24 has a length L₁ measuredfrom axis 20A to wedge edge 52, and handle 25 has a length L₂ measuredfrom axis 20A to hook end 31 (FIG. 7). It has been found that a handlelength ration L₁:L₂ of about 5:4 provides effective torque forces to beexerted from member 12 to member 11 and in turn by sinusoidal surface 35and hook end 31 on a seized fire hose coupling in the fully openposition. The handles length ratio provides complementary effectivenessin the several rescue tool operations as further discussed hereinaboveand hereinafter.

The Cable Cutter

Handles 24 and 25 are generally of greater length than in conventionalhand tool cutting pliers (FIG. 2). Jaws 15 and 23 are similar to theconstruction of the jaws shown in FIG. 2. The present handlesconstruction, and configurations and length ratio construction with jaws15 and 23 provide heavy duty cable cutter functionality. The cuttingforce of the present firefighter tool permits the cutting of an aluminumshielded 04 hybrid car battery cable in a single rapid cutting action.The user readily exerts a 120 lb force on the cable. Tool 10 ispreferably manufactured entirely of 1080 steel.

Certain firefighter elements viz. wrench 140, and pin 16 are operated ina manner similar to that described in U.S. application Ser. No.11/857,010, filed Sep. 18, 2007, published as US Pub. No. 20080022813and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/493,682, filed Jul. 26, 2006, publishedas US Pub. No. 20080022815, which applications are incorporated hereinin their entireties by references thereto.

The foregoing describes a rescue or firefighter tool with a combinationof novel and improved functions. The present tool provides a firefightertool with multi-functionality which is practical in construction and useunder exigent firefighter circumstances.

While the present invention has been described by reference to aspecific embodiment, it should be understood that modifications andvariations of the invention might be constructed without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method for operating a rescue tool comprising: (a) providing arescue tool comprising; a first member comprising a proximate end and adistal end, and a proximately disposed first handle and a distallydisposed first jaw; a second member comprising a proximate end and adistal end, and a proximately disposed second handle and a distallydisposed second jaw; means for pivotably connecting the memberscomprising a pivot axis, and being disposed between the handles and jawsso that the handles pivotably move the jaws from a first operableposition to a second operable position; said jaws comprise planarsurfaces adjacent the means for pivotably connecting the members;wherein said first operable position the jaws and handles are fullyclosed and in said second operable position the jaws and handles arefully opened; said jaws and handles having respective torque bearingsurfaces in contacting engagement in the second operable position only;said second handle comprises a wedge having an elongate edge and saidfirst handle further comprises a grip portion extending around thehandle adjacent the wedge; said second handle comprises a hook disposedat the proximate end, said second handle further comprises a generallysinusoid surface in combination with the hook for operably engagingdifferently sized fire hose couplings; (b) gripping the jaws planarsurfaces in the first operable position the pivot axis and exerting aleverage force downwardly to effect an upward leverage force on thewedge edge; and (c) gripping the second handle grip portion in thesecond operable position and exerting a leverage force through thecontactingly engaged force bearing surfaces to the generally sinusoidalsurface and hook to exert an increased leverage force for uncoupling aseized fire hose coupling.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c)further comprises exerting a force on the second member grip portiononly and exerting a resultant increased leverage force on the firstmember sinusoidal surface.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the handlessubtend an angle of at least about 100° in the second operable position.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the handles subtend an angle of about114° in the second operable position.
 5. The method of claim 1, saidwedge edge comprises an angular disposition of from about 85° to 89°with a central plane through the pivot axis in the first operableposition.
 6. The method of claim 5, said wedge edge angular dispositionbeing about 88°.
 7. The method of claim 1, said jaws being elongate andcomprise generally elongate arcuate cutting edges disposed inimmediately adjacent planes.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein saidhandles open to approximately 114° in the second operable position. 9.The method of claim 1, said second handle comprises an upper planarsurface disposed in a first plane, and said wedge edge being disposed ina second plane.
 10. The method of claim 1, said generally sinusoidalsurface comprises a convex portion and a concave portion, said concaveportion extending from the convex portion to the second handle distalend adjacent the hook, and wherein the concave portion extends about thesame length as the convex portion.
 11. The method of claim 1, the wedgecomprises upper and lower surfaces being in about parallel dispositionadjacent the fulcrum surface and said wedge lower surface curves towardsthe upper surface in the proximate direction, wherein the said wedgeupper, lower and side surfaces permit the rescue tool to be readilyinserted into and removed from a pocket or holster in the first operableposition, and further comprising (d) inserting the rescue tool whendisposed in the first operable position into a pocket or holster. 12.The method of claim 1, said wedge comprises a transversely disposedfulcrum surface, said grip portion being disposed between about thefulcrum surface and the wedge edge.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinthe ratio of length of the first handle measured from the axis to theproximate end of the first handle to the length of the second handlemeasured from the axis to the hook end is about 5:4, for improvedoperability in step (c).
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c)further comprises gripping the grip portion only with one hand.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the handles subtend an angle of at leastabout 100° in step (c).
 16. The method of claim 2, wherein the forceexerted on the second member grip portion is 250 lb. and the resultantincreased force is 354 lb.